April 28, 2023 10:40 a.m.

The Roseburg Community Development Department is encouraging local homeowners in or near flood zones to make sure they have sufficient flood insurance to protect their homes this spring.

A City of Roseburg release said homeowners whose property is located in a special flood hazard area are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to buy flood insurance, which is not covered by homeowners insurance.

Community Development Department Director Stuart Cowie said “Ensuring those with structures inside the City limits and located in the floodplain adhere to FEMA floodplain development guidelines helps the City  to maintain a Community Service Rating through the National Flood Insurance Program, which, in turn, creates a lower floodplain insurance premium for all those Roseburg residents who must buy flood insurance”.

Renters insurance also doesn’t typically cover flooding, according to FEMA.

The Community Development Department has an interactive floodplain information map on the city’s website: https://www.cityofroseburg.org/departments/community-development/floodplain-information. Property owners, homebuyers, renters, realtors and insurance agents can use the map to find floodplain-related documents, needed for flood insurance purposes for properties in or near flood zones.

The release said disaster assistance may be limited or unavailable if flooding occurs. While federal disaster assistance is only available if the president declares a disaster, flood insurance protects homes even if a disaster is not declared.

For more information, contact the Roseburg Community Development Department at 492-6750 or by email: cdd@cityofroseburg.org.